The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-05-12
See Comrade Taylor's adv. on page 5.
ORANGE COURTHOUSE.
The Adventures of Some CavaIrymsn at that PIac

The Adventures OF Some CaValrymsn at that Place.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: A few weeks
after our triumphant entrance into Culpeper
Courthouse portion Of the eavalry-5th " Y.
and lst Yt.-were detailed to accompany about
500 infantry, under the command Of Gen. Craw-
ford, on a forced reconnaissance. Weleft camp
near Culpeper early in the morning of Aug. 2
1862. We crossed the Rapidan River at Sum
meryille Ford. Here we took by-road through
woods and across fields, making for Orange
Courthouse, hoping to escape observation by
the enemy. We had not proceeded far before
we found the enemy's pckets. They did not
stop our advance but kept the piekets moving
until near the town.
Here we struck quite force. After short
slIirmish, in which several men were killed
and wounded, the 9th n. Y. Cav. was ordered
across "A field to take the enemy in flank. The
Ist VT. Cav. was TO continue pressing the enemy
in front. The infantry served as support
When the 5th n. Y. gained the flank it made
gallant charge, as did also the 1st Vt. Both
regiments entered the town about the same
time. Here we had one of the first saber fights
of the war-a hand-tO- hand conflict
The enemy soon retreated, the 9TH ". Y fol-
lowing on one road, and the 1st Vt. on another
We followed the enemy until we heard the
engine whistle with reinforcements from Cor
louisville. We then slowly retired through
the Town, tearing up tuO railroad. Ine object
Of the expedition accomplished, the infantry
began its backward march to Culpeper, the cav
airy covering the rear. The enemy reinforced
followed US a short distance and halted. We
continued on To the Rapidan, where the bal
ance of the Cavalry Brigade joined us.
We then marched to Raecoon Ford. Here
we went into camp and "swapped yarns" over
our coffee and hardtack. We soon dropped to
sleep, dreaming of the grand achievements to
follow our victorious sabers. About midnight
we were awakened by picket firing at the Ford,
first one or two Shots then a volley. We were
wide awake in an instant, and saddled up
without waiting for orders. Word soon came
in WhiSper, Saddle up and form company line;
quick, but quiet!" We were soon ready for a
move An Orderly came dashng up and re-
ported the firing caused by some 20 head of
cattle crossing the river, as was their custom
before the advent of Yankee piekets. The
videts at the Ford challenged the cattle TO halt
but mot recognizing the familiar voice of the
"darkies," they continued to cross. The pick
cts all turned out and gave the cattle vol.ey,
which aroused the camp. The piekets, after
failing 10 get q response from the first chal-
lenge, thought from the splashing of the water
it must be the enemy's cavalry. As soon as
we could control our humping hearts we un-
saddled our horses and returned osleep, thank
ful that it was only an imaginary foe. In the
morning we returned to Culpeper and took our
old camp and picket-line. remaining there un-
til Banks's army had fought the battle of Ce-
dar Mountain.-S. A. CLARK, Lieutenant, Co.
L, lst VT Cav, HOlabird, Oak.